Movie Claim Monday: where our insurance minds speculate whether certain incidents in the cinematic universe would in fact be considered a covered claim.*

This week’s movie claim Monday is on Despicable Me 2**. Again, I have a 2 year old, the only movies I watch anymore are cartoons. So here we go! This one isn’t exactly on claims, rather than just the coverages needed. The scene I’m going to be going into is when Gru and Lucy break into Salsa & Salsa restaurant to see if the bad guy they are looking for is El Macho (spoiler alert: it is!).

El Macho better have some small business insurance. There is property damage to most of his tables and chairs and a hole gets put in his ceiling. He would want property coverage as well as loss of use, since he may have to close down while repairs are made.

Also, his business coverage would be useful for the safe that is broken into, but the coverage may not apply, as not valuable was taken and the only valuable in there was a jar of salsa.

The mall would also want good property insurance, as the minions break quite a bit of glass driving a car through the side wall. Lots of damage and lots of clean up.

Finally, how would Lucy’s car be covered? I mean, it obviously needs auto insurance, but it is also a submarine and an aircraft. Three insurance policies seems a bit excessive, so maybe she can find a non-standard carrier that can create a custom policy for her specific vehicle. You never know.

*Disclaimer: Each insurance policy is different, and while we speculate here for enjoyment purposes, you will need to discuss your insurance policy directly with your agent or CSR. Our speculations here are in no way an indication that a similar occurrence would in fact be covered.

**All characters described and mentioned are copyrighted by Universal Pictures

For this month’s movie claim Monday we wanted to share a list of actors injured on set. On site job injuries are usually paid through the company workers comp policy. This list does not specify if a claim was made or of any kind of pay out. We just imagine these instances would be covered losses.

Sometimes, the show really must go on. They may play larger-than-life characters on screen, but actors are human and sometimes get the short end of the stick when it comes to on-set injuries. Here are 19 times where big stars were in the wrong place at the wrong time. 1.

Movie Claim Monday: where our insurance minds speculate whether certain incidents in the cinematic universe would in fact be considered a covered claim.*

Our movie today is Fast Five. As the eighth installment of this series just came out, we shouldn’t be spoiling the plotline for you. The scene we are looking at is where the team (specifically Dom and Brian steal a large safe (bank vault) by attaching it to the back of their Dodge Chargers and cause massive damage during a very intense police chase. So here is where our insurance minds took us:

-The special upgrades on the Chargers are pretty awesome. Hopefully they notified their insurance carrier of those upgrades—they can be covered by comprehensive or collision if they are noted on the policy.

-Surprisingly, the only human injuries seem to be to the drug dealing cops, so that’s less liability to worry about.

-Speaking of liability, I sure hope they have super high limits with a huge umbrella policy. The damage done to buildings (like the bank) and all the other little structures would be millions in damage. I would venture they needed a $10 million umbrella for that kind of stuff.

-But, by far the biggest issue is that they are in Brazil. So unless they have an insurance policy for Brazil, it won’t be covered by any policy in the US. But they make millions off this particular situation, so they can just pay for it all themselves if need be.

*Disclaimer: Each insurance policy is different, and while we speculate here for enjoyment purposes, you will need to discuss your insurance policy directly with your agent or CSR. Our speculations here are in no way an indication that a similar occurrence would in fact be covered.

5 Ways to Avoid Parking Lot Fender Benders in New Mexico

Parking lots in Albuquerque, NM – we love the convenience but hate the frustrations, especially when people are driving too fast, backing out of spots without looking and otherwise modeling bad parking lot behavior.

That behavior just so happens to be the cause of many a door ding and irritated driver. Even worse, careless behavior can cause a collision or injury. So, let’s all slow down and follow these five tips to make parking lots safer for everyone:

Don’t Speed
Speeding decreases the amount of time you have to react when a child runs out in front of you, another driver stops suddenly or a car begins backing out unexpectedly. Is a collision – or even a fatality – really worth the price of getting to your destination just a bit sooner?

Use Your Eyes – and Mirrors and Cameras
Keep a lookout for perils at all times, even if the lot seems empty. When you’re pulling into a spot, watch for doors being opened. When backing out, look all around, in your mirrors and in your rear-view camera and proceed slowly.

Give Yourself – and Others – Some Space
Parking in between the lines and in a spot sized for your vehicle may help to minimize dings and scratches. Better yet, park in a less-crowded area and enjoy the stroll into the store – just don’t park where you feel unsafe. And, always park away from stray carts.

Expect the Unexpected
Assume things will happen. That someone will dart out in front of you, that a cart will come rolling toward you, that someone backing out of his/her spot won’t see you backing out of yours. When you’re on guard, you’re better prepared for those who aren’t.

Be Respectful
A little kindness goes a long way in a parking lot or parking garage. So stop for pedestrians, don’t cause traffic jams waiting for a spot and, above all, don’t lose your cool.

Remember, when you’re watching for dangers, you have a better chance of avoiding them. If an incident does occur, we here at Brown & Brown of New Mexico are ready to help.

All-in-one parking methods. Easy to understand tutorial. Learn to drive and prepare for a driving test! http://www.parkingtutorial.com/ The clip has NO AUDIO. This way of parallel parking is the EASIEST, because the driver is given exact REFERENCE POINTS. According to these points he/she can turn the steering wheel at the right moment and parallel park the car.

Insurance Tips for Back-to-School Time

College is expensive enough without finding out too late that an accident or theft isn’t covered under your current policies. So, as you get your children ready to head off to school in the fall, there’s one vital “to-do” to add to your list (other than writing that tuition check): a review of your insurance coverage.

It’s important to keep in mind that policy language varies from state to state, and there are never “one-size-fits-all” situations, but below is a general guide. If you have questions, or want to go over your insurance needs, don’t hesitate to contact us!

HOMEOWNERS (may vary by state and individual policy)

Coverage of personal property: Most homeowners policies provide 10 percent of Coverage C (Personal Property) for property owned by an insured that is at a residence other than the insured’s. For example, if the contents of a policyholder’s home are insured for $100,000, a student’s property up to $10,000 would be covered if living in a dormitory – provided the damage is caused by a covered peril and the student meets the definition of an insured.

For apartments or houses off-campus, the same coverage generally applies. Certain items, such as jewelry or expensive electronics, may require special coverage, or a “rider.” Renters insurance is strongly recommended if a particular policy does not cover a student’s personal property.

Liability coverage: There usually is an exclusion for damage to property rented to an insured, so generally damage to a dorm room or apartment would not be covered.

Ensuring adequate coverage: Contact us to get specific answers and information about your coverages. Also, it’s a great idea to create an inventory of the items your student is taking to school, as is keeping photos of and receipts for the items.

Renters insurance: If your student’s needs can’t be met under your current policy, don’t forget renters insurance. Landlords’ policies generally only cover the structure, not the possessions of renters.

AUTO (may vary by state)

Coverage without a car at school: If your student will continue to drive while at home on school breaks, they should continue to be listed on your auto policy. If they are attending school more than 100 miles from home, and are not taking a vehicle with them, the policy may qualify for a distant-student discount.

Coverage with a car at school: In most instances, a car registered to parents and listed on their policy will be covered if used by a listed student away at school. But you should make sure that your insurance carrier writes coverage in the college’s state and location. And note that a change to the principal location of the vehicle could result in a change in premium.

Driving a friend’s car at school: Students generally would be covered while driving a friend’s car if the students are listed on their parents’ policy and do not have regular use of the vehicle. The coverage would likely be secondary in this case, as the carrier for the friend’s vehicle likely would be the primary coverage.

Coverage discounts: In addition to the possible distant-student discount mentioned above, students may qualify for a good-student discount. To qualify, most insurance carriers require that a student must be enrolled in at least four courses per term as a full-time student at an accredited college or university and meet certain academic qualifications. Also, drivers under the age of 21 who complete a driver education course may be eligible for a policy discount.

Going away to school is an exciting time for both students and their parents. Making sure you’ve got the right insurance coverage can help you protect your assets as you invest in your child’s future. We’re happy to discuss your coverage and options — just give us a call or stop by!